El potassium soap may be the best remedy against insects on plants. It can be applied to fight against small pests such as: aphids, mealybugs, whiteflies, red spider mites... Also, when applied regularly you will provide an extra potassium to the plants in your home.
Do you want to know how to make homemade potassium soap? Well, you just have to have a few ingredients on hand and you will see that it is very easy to make this homemade recipe. In addition, the day after its application on the plants you will begin to notice how the pests have almost completely disappeared.
Potassium soap definition
This is known as potash and is a natural pesticide, which is used to keep small insect pests that can appear on house plants at bay. It's natural and its main components are water, fats or lipids in addition to potassium hydroxide.
Did you know this natural pesticide?
Ingredients to make potassium soap
The Ingredients you should have on hand to make potassium soap are the following:
- 100 grams of vegetable oil, you can use olive, sunflower or corn oil.
- About 20 grams of KOH, that is, potassium hydroxide.
- 20 grams of water.
How to make potassium soap? We explain it to you step by step
You just have to follow these simple steps to make potash soap in your house:
- First, you must have the basic ingredients to be able to make your homemade mixture. You can use a small container or a glass with a capacity of about 300 ml to be able to make the soap comfortably.
- You need to be careful with your eyes and skin, as this mixture can burn. Wear gloves, glasses and a mask to cover the most sensitive parts of your body.
- When you have the container ready you should use the "bain-marie" technique to heat the container, then you can add the oil.
- After a few minutes, you can gradually add the potassium hydroxide. So, it is best to start stirring with a wooden spoon little by little in a circular way. You will have to be patient as the mixture can be easily cut.
- Finally, you just have to cover the container and after about five minutes you can pass the mixture through the blender to beat the potassium soap well. After about 10 minutes of rest, you must repeat this last step up to 4 times, since the mixture should be like a mashed potato with a yellowish tone. That is, it must have a pasty texture.
Frequently asked questions about potassium soap
Then we want to offer you some frequently asked questions that our readers have made us about potassium soap.
Is potassium soap toxic?
The answer is no. As It is a biological compound and has been designed so that people can use it on their house plants, without affecting your health. Also, being environmentally sustainable, there is no problem using it if you have pets at home. It will only affect the small insects that are on the plant.
Do changes occur in the plant?
No, this homemade mix does not cause any change in the plant or its fruits, that is, you can use it safely and without fear.
Can potassium soap create resistance in insects?
It is a very common question that many readers have asked us. The truth, that does not create resistance, at least a priori. By having a running effect, which destroys the protective layer of the insect, potassium soap prevents the insect from developing resistance. Something that does happen with commercial insecticides that you can find in any supermarket or drugstore.
How does potassium soap work?
This soap, It usually acts when it comes into contact with insects, causing them to remove their protective layer when exposed to sunlight.. The fatty acids cause the insect to remain unprotected and end up dying from suffocation. That is why they cannot develop any resistance to potassium soap.
This type of soap is selective and controls certain insects, not being effective on all pests. It works especially if the insect has a soft body such as aphids, mealybugs, mites, whiteflies, some spiders... This product causes insects to die from suffocation.
Insects with harder bodies such as bees or ladybugs are little affected by potassium soap.. The fact that these insects do not disappear with the application of potassium soap is due to the fact that they develop other more resistant capacities due to the fact that they are flying insects.
How much potassium soap should be applied to each plant?
Ideally dilute about 30 or 40 grams of potash soap in a liter of water. Afterwards, you only have to apply the mixture to the silver you want to treat.
His thing would be to apply this mixture for at least a week, since the pests may take time to disappear. But, the normal thing is that after a few days you notice improvements.
How long does potassium soap last?
The treatment it will work immediately on your plants, but the soap only lasts about 3 months. Therefore, after this period of time you will have to do the process again if you want to eliminate a new pest from your plants.
Have you ever made potassium soap?